Auston Matthews' Swiss season ends with surprise playoff sweep
Auston Matthews' unique journey toward the NHL is almost complete, and while it looks to have been an overwhelming success, it certainly didn't get a storybook ending overseas.
The 18-year-old's season with the Zurich Lions of the Swiss National League came to an end Thursday after his top-seeded club was swept by No. 8 seed SC Bern.
Bern stuns Zurich w/ a 1st Rd playoff sweep, 4-0. Wins 3-0 in Gm 4 to clinch today. Auston Matthews 0-3-3, 13 shots, in 4 plyoff gms
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) March 10, 2016
The season as a whole, however, allowed Matthews to prove he can be dominant even while playing against much older - and larger - competition.
The Arizona native capped off his season with 24 goals and 46 points in 36 regular-season games, the most ever by a teenager in the NLA.
The Switzerland experiment was quite arguably a success for Matthews. Potential inspiration for future elite NA guys to try pro hockey.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) March 10, 2016
Matthews is widely expected to be selected with the No. 1 pick at the NHL Entry Draft. He ranked first in NHL central scouting's midterm rankings among all European skaters.
The teenage standout is expected to represent the United Sates at the upcoming World Championship in Russia this May, if he so chooses.
That's where teams and fans alike might get their last glimpse of Matthews before his name is called this June.